NOTE: The information in this page could be changed after an official announcement in class. Please pay attentions to announcements in class and constantly check this webpage for updated information.


Instructor: TeYu Chien (簡德宇)
Lecture Time and Place:MW 10am-11:40am; PS 237
Office: Physical Science Building 224
Office Hours: MW 1pm-2pm
Website: http://physics.uwyo.edu/~teyu
Email: tchien@uwyo.edu

Important Dates:
  • Last day to drop for courses: Jan. 25th
  • Advising Week: March 26th - 30th
  • Last day to withdraw from individual semester courses: April 6th
  • Last day to withdraw from the university: April 16th
Required Materials
  • Text: Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, Wiley
Book References
  • Neil W. Ashcroft, and N. David Mermin (1976). Solid State Physics: Brooks/Cole
Goals:This course is designed for senior undergraduate students and fresh graduate students to gain basic knowledge in condensed matter physics. Mastering this course will pave the foundation for the research of the students in condensed matter physics fields.

Prerequisites:Modern Physics, Optics and Waves, and Electromagnetism, or equivalent courses.

Topics to be covered (Topics will be selected among them):
  1. Crystal Structure
  2. Reciprocal Lattice
  3. Crystal, Binding and Elastic Constants
  4. Phonons: Crystal Vibrations
  5. Phonons: Thermal Properties
  6. Free Electron Fermi Gas
  7. Energy Bands
  8. Semiconductor Crystals
  9. Fermi Surfaces and Metals
  10. Plasmons, Polaritons, and Polarons
  11. Optical Processes and Excitons
  12. Superconductivity
  13. Dielectrics and Ferroelectrics
  14. Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism
  15. Ferromagnetism and Antiferromagnetism
  16. Magnetic Resonance
  17. Noncrystalline Solids
  18. Point Defects
  19. Surface and Interface Physics
  20. Dislocations
  21. Alloys
Homework:We will have weekly homework that will be graded by the instructor.

Disability Statement:If you have a physical, learning, or psychological disability and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. Contact University Disability Support Services in SEO, room 330 Knight Hall.

Academic honesty:Academic dishonesty is defined in University Regulation 802, Revision 2 as “an act attempted or performed which misrepresents one’s involvement in an academic task in any way, or permits another student to misrepresent the latter’s involvement in an academic task by assisting the misrepresentation.? And there are rules and procedures to handle such cases, and serious penalties will be imposed. Note that a student who copies and a student who let’s another student copy are both covered by the university rules.

Grading
  • Mid-term Exam: 30%
  • Final Exam: 30%
  • Homework: 30%
  • Attendance: 10%
  • Total: 100%
  • Scale: A: (> 90%); A-: (86.66-89.99%); B+: (83.33-86.66%); B: (80-83.33%); B-: (76.66-79.99%); C+: (73.33-76.66%); C: (70-73.33%); C-: (66.66-69.99%); D+: (63.33-66.66%); D: (60-63.33%); F: (< 60%)
General expectations
  • Attend and participate in each lecture.
  • You are required to read assigned articles before and after it is discussed in class.
  • Live up to your responsibility to understand the material presented. If you have difficulty of understanding it, please get good use of office hours.
  • Take notes during lectures as appropriate.
  • Complete homework and hand it in on time.
  • Work in compliance with the university’s code of academic honesty.
  • Ask questions. There are no stupid questions.
  • Have fun.


Any comment/suggestion, please contact TeYu Chien